Playing Career: Fresno State Bulldogs

Kelly Skipper played college football for Fresno State University from 1985-1988. In Skipper's senior season, he was named as the first team All-Big West running back while earning All American honorable mention status. In addition, Skipper earned four letters while at the school. While Skipper played for the university, Fresno State won two conference championships (1985 and 1988).

Coaching Career

College Coaching

Fresno State Bulldogs

After he graduated from college, his former head coach Jim Sweeney hired him as a graduate assistant for the 19989 and 1990 seasons. In 1989, the Bulldogs won another Big West championship at the end of an 11-1 season. After the 1990 season, Skipper was promoted to running backs coach/return specialist coach. From 1991-1993, the Bulldogs dominated the conference, winning three straight conference titles (Big West in 1991, Western Athletic Conference in 1992 and 1993). However, the team suffered three straight losing seasons from 1994-1996 and Sweeney retired at the end of the season. Skipper coached one more season in Fresno under new head coach Pat Hill before he parted ways with the school. During his nine seasons with the school, he coached seven running backs to All-Conference honors. During the 1996 summer, he also spent time as a minority coaching intern with the Seattle Seahawks. He also spent one more summer in the same position with the Washington Redskins.

UCLA Bruins

In 1998, Skipper was hired by UCLA as their running backs/kickoff return coach. In his first season with the team, the Bruins won the Pac-10 conference title, his fifth championship of his coaching career. However, that season was the high water mark for his Bruins career. The next two seasons, the team failed to post a winning season. After the 2000 season, Skipper was promoted to offensive coordinator. He helped the Bruins return to winning seasons, going 7-4 and 8-5 in his two seasons as offensive coordinator. Overall, six of his running backs during his five years at UCLA went on to the NFL.

Washington State Huskies

In 2003, Skipper was hired by new head coach Bill Doba as the Huskies' new running backs and special teams coach. His first season in Pullman was the most successful of his tenure with the team as the team went 10-3 and won the Holiday Bowl. The Huskies did not have another winning season during his four-year tenure with the team and he departed the team following the 2006 season.

Jump to the NFL

Oakland Raiders

In 2007, Skipper began his NFL coaching career when he was hired by the Oakland Raiders and new head coach Lane Kiffin as the team's tight end coach. Among his early success at the position was working with rookie tight end Zach Miller who led all rookie tight ends in 2007. In 2008, Miller led the team in total receptions with 55.

In 2009, Skipper moved to running back coach under new head coachTom Cable. During his seasons as the running back coach, he worked with Darren McFadden and Michael Bush to lead a strong rushing attack for the team. Constant turnover at the head coach position followed Skipper during his Raiders tenure. From 2007-2014, the Raiders had four different head coaches. During his eight seasons with the franchise, the team failed to achieve a winning season.

Jacksonville Jaguars

In 2015, Skipper was hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars as their new running backs coach. In his first season, rookie running back T.J. Yeldon ranked among the top rookies in the league. He also became the first Jaguars rookie in ten seasons to break 1,000 yards from scrimmage.